Evelyn Waugh (1903–1966)

I've been wanting to read this book for ages - Evelyn Waugh's famous satire on journalism. While still very enjoyable, its bite is now a lot less incisive than it might once have been.

The plot is a rollicking good comedy of errors, displaying a lot of the fatigued disenchantment of mid-20th century Britain so evident in (particularly) comedies of that period. There are plenty of beautifully timed comic moments (particularly in the first half of the book), and grotesque characters.

The casual racism and total disinterest in anyone below the very upper middle-classes is perhaps to be expected, but less to be celebrated. Well, there may be a case that this is just Waugh's misanthropy, rather than actual basic bigotry, but nonetheless renders the book rather two-dimensional (just like most of the foreign and working class characters).

The depiction of the journlist's trade is more affectionate than would be expected these days - they are mostly feckless rather than ruthless and incompetent not outright dishonest. If they influence the news it is more accident than design.

For me, Scoop is more interesting as a period piece than a vital piece of satire.
… (mais)

I had seen enough of the famous television adaptation, and thought it was alright. A story of rich people. But as a written novel? Well... Evelyn Waugh is a pretty extraordinary prose stylist and overall writer. On that level, this is a great novel. So, for me the reading (listening) experience was far richer than any dramatic adaptation could hope to equal. The book covers an enormous amount of ground. It feels very influential to many other writers of the era. Very, very impressive. Personal points off for me, being less obsessed with Catholic guilt than the author is. Either you suffer from it, or you don't.… (mais)